Wire card napping machine

ABSTRACT

The wire card napping machine has at least one driven cylinder, with several pick-up devices, each of which is equipped with at least one napping roller of a different roller type and is embedded in the side disks of the cylinder, it being possible to rotate at least one pick-up device by means of an adjusting device. The adjusting device has a lifting device, which can be operated in a controlled manner and to which a segment bearer, which can be moved by the lifting device between a starting position and an operating position, which brings about a pick-up device that is to be rotated in a defined angle, is connected in hinged fashion and the segment bearer lies in its operating position against a wheel, which is disposed firmly at the pick-up device that is to be rotated. The adjusting device has assigned to it an unlocking device, which has a further lifting device, which can be operated in a controlled manner, to which an unlocking segment, which can be moved by the further lifting device between a starting position and an operating position, which brings about the unlocking of the pick-up device that is to be rotated through a defined angle, is connected in hinged fashion. The unlocking segment, in its operating position, is connected in hinged fashion to a locking device, which is disposed at a pick-up device that is to be rotated, before the pick-up device in question is rotated to bring about the unlocking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a wire card napping machine for fabrics with atleast one driven cylinder, several rotatable and lockable pick-updevices each of which is equipped with at least one napping roller of adifferent roller type and is embedded in the side disks of the cylinder.

The surface of the textile fabric is napped (napping effect) by the wirecard napping machine using a differential speed between the textilefabric to be napped and the napping rollers. As a result of suchnapping, an increased heat-holding capacity and a wooly, fleecy handleare attained. To achieve napping effects, napping rollers of the sameroller type (counter-pile rollers or pile rollers) or napping rollers ofdifferent roller types (counter-pile rollers and pile rollers in thesame or different ratio to one another) are used. Moreover, thepossibility also exists of using different card clothings for thenapping rollers.

A wire card napping machine with several revolve-shaped pick-up devicesembedded in side disks of a cylinder has been proposed (German patentNo. 401,721). Each pick-up device is equipped with several nappingelements in such a manner, that only one napping element of each pick-updevice is in the working position and that the textile fabric is nappedfirst with a blunt and then, corresponding to the progressing operatingcycle, with a sharper card clothing.

Due to a cogwheel driving mechanism, which is appropriately connectedwith the pick-up devices, only the possibility exists of adjusting allpick-up devices jointly in such a manner that, after the adjustment, thetextile fabric can be napped once again first with a blunt and then,corresponding to the progressing operating cycle, with a shaper cardclothing.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to overcome the drawbacks of the priorart. In the wire card napping machine of the present invention, theratio of one type of napping rollers to another type of napping rollerscan be changed by at least one unlocking, adjusting and locking device.

The adjusting device of the present invention has a lifting device thatcan be operated in a controlled manner.

A segment bearer, which can be moved by the lifting device between astarting position and an operating position, which brings about apick-up device that is to be rotated in a defined angle, is connected inhinged fashion.

The segment bearer lies in its operating position against a wheel, whichis disposed firmly at the pick-up device that is to be rotated.

The adjusting device has assigned to it an unlocking device, which

has a second lifting device, which can be operated in a controlledmanner.

An unlocking segment, connected in hinged fashion can be moved by thesecond lifting device between a starting position and an operatingposition, which brings about the unlocking of the pick-up device that isto be rotated through a defined angle.

The unlocking segment, in its operating position, is connected in hingedfashion to a locking device disposed at a pick-up device that is to berotated before the pick-up device in question is rotated to bring aboutthe unlocking.

The advantages achieved by the invention are seen to lie essentially inthat the ratio of the one to the other type of napping rollers in theoperating position can be changed. This is understood to include alsosuch a ratio, for which the napping rollers of only one type of rollerare in the operating position. As a result, other napping effects can beachieved. In this connection, it is also essential that the textilefabric, during the change in the ratio of the one to the other type ofnapping roller in the operating position, can remain on the cylinder andrelatively long retooling times are avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional representation of a cylinderof a wire card napping machine with an equal number of counter-pilerollers and pile rollers in the operating position, as well as twodrawing rollers assigned to the cylinder.

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of an unlocking, adjustingand locking device, the unlocking process being initiated at a definedpick-up device.

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of the unlocking, adjustingand locking device during the adjusting process of the defined pick-updevice.

FIG. 4 is a time-lapse plan for unlocking, adjusting and locking apick-up device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

One of the features of the wire card napping machine is a drivencylinder, which is mounted in a machine frame that is not shown.Essentially several pick-up devices 1, are mounted by ends in bearings 3disposed on the cylinder disks 2, so that they can be rotated andlocked, belong to this cylinder. For reasons of clarity, FIG. 1 showsonly one cylinder disk 2.

Each pick-up device 1 is equipped with two types of napping rollers 4.1,4.2 namely, according to an embodiment, with two counter-pile nappingrollers 4.1--referred to hereinafter also as G--and one pile nappingroller 4.2--referred to hereinafter also as S--the napping rollers 4.1,4.2 on the arc of the circle 2.1 being in the operating position. Forreasons of clarity, only two pick-up devices 1 and the types of nappingrollers 4.1, 4.2 mounted therein are labeled with the appropriatereference numbers.

The napping rollers 4.1, 4.2 are mounted at each end on bearings in thepick-up devices 1, preferably only the napping rollers 4.1, 4.2 whichare in the operating position, being driven.

As will still be described in the following, the pick-up devices 1,mounted on bearings in the cylinder disk 2, are locked in their startingposition. They can be unlocked and thereafter turned through an anglecorresponding to the division of the napping rollers 4.1, 4.2 in thepick-up device 1 and then locked once again in their new position. Bythese means, it is possible to change the ratio of the counter-pilenapping rollers 4.1 to the pile napping rollers 4.2 that are in theoperating position. For example, the following variations in the ratioof the napping rollers 4.1, 4.2 in the operating position are preferablyused.

    ______________________________________                                                               Repeating Sequence                                                            of Two Concsecu-                                                       Ratio of                                                                             tive Pick-up                                                           G to S Devices 1                                              ______________________________________                                        Figure 1          1:1      G - S - G - S - . . .                              after rotating all pick-up                                                                      24:0     G - G - G - G - . . .                              devices 1 by 120° relative to                                                            (G:O)                                                       FIG. 1 by 24 napping rollers                                                  4.1, 4.2 in the operating position                                            after rotating each second                                                                      3:1      G - G - S - G - . . .                              pick-up device 1 by a further                                                 120°                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The wire card napping machine also includes an inlet drawing roller 5and an outlet drawing roller 6, both of which are mounted in the machineframe and with which the textile fabric 7, running over the cylinder, istransported and, at the same time, held under a certain tension. Furtherelements belonging to the wire card napping machine, such as the drivingmechanism, the inlet and outlet of the wire card napping machine and thestripping rollers, are not shown for clarity.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to attain the ratio of the one typeof napping roller 4.1 to the other type of napping roller 4.2 in theoperating position, an unlocking device, an adjusting device and alocking device, are provided. FIG. 2 shows the unlocking device in itsoperating position, that is, in a position, in which the unlockingprocess has already been initiated for a defined pick-up device 1.

The unlocking device has a working cylinder 9, which is preferablypivotably mounted in a seat 8 present in the machine frame and a windingelement 10, which is coupled to the piston rod 9.1 of this workingcylinder 9 and is pivotably mounted in a bearing 11, which is alsopreferably disposed in the machine frame. The side of the windingelement 10, pointing to the cylinder disk 2, is constructed a windingcurve 10.1, along which a roller 13, mounted on an unlocking lever 12,rolls down during the unlocking of the pick-up device in question. Theunlocking lever 12 is supported in a seat 14, which preferably isfastened at the bearing 3, which is coupled by a tension element 15 to alocking pin 16.

The adjusting device, which serves to rotate the pick-up device 1, has asecond working cylinder 18, which is supported in a bearing 17 disposedin the machine frame. Linked to the piston rod 18.1 of this secondworking cylinder 18, is a segment bearer 20, which is mounted in abearing 19 disposed in the machine frame. This segment bearer 20 isequipped with a rubbing or friction segment 20.1 which, in the eventthat the pick-up device 1 rotates, is connected with a friction disk 21firmly disposed preferably on a bearing pin of the pick-up device 1.

The locking device has a locking disk 22 with recesses 22.1, firmlyconnected to the pick-up device 1. In the locked state, the locking pin16, biased by a compression spring 23 and coupled through a tensionelement 15 to the unlocking lever 12, protrudes into one of the recesses22.1. Thus, locking pin 16 fixes the position of the pickup device 1.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, only one unlocking device, one adjusting device andone locking device are shown. The unlocking device and the adjustingdevice are supported at a defined place in the machine frame and in theregion of a cylinder disk 2 in such a manner that, in the event of achange in the ratio of the napping rollers 4.1, 4.2 of the one type ofroller to the other type of roller in the operating position, theunlocking device and the adjusting device act on the defined pick-updevice 1. A second unlocking, adjusting device (not shown) is alsosupported at a defined place in the machine frame and in the region ofthe other cylinder disk 2 (not shown) in such a manner that,simultaneously with the other unlocking device and adjusting device, itbrings about an adjustment (unlocking, rotating by a defined angle andrenewed locking) of the pick-up device 1 in question.

It is, however, also possible to support a further pair of unlocking andadjusting devices at a further defined place in the machine frame inorder thus to be able to adjust a further pick-up device 1.

The locking devices are present at both ends of all pick-up devices 1.

The inventive unlocking, adjusting and locking device works in thefollowing way. Referring to FIG. 2, the course of a change-over of apick-up device 1 is specified by a memory-storable control system 25. Todetermine the position of the cylinder, an absolute angle transmitter26, which is connected to the memory-programmed control system 25, isassigned to the cylinder. With the transmitter 26, it is possible toidentify accurately the position of each take-up device 1 with respectto the absolute angle of rotation α of the cylinder disks 2 and, of thecylinder. Within the memory-programmable control system 25, a referencequantity, such as a number, is assigned to each pick-up device 1.Likewise, the existing ratio of counter-pile napping rollers 4.1 to thepile napping rollers 4.2 and, the position of rotation of each pick-updevice 1 is stored in the memory-programmable control system 25.

If the ratio of counter-pile napping rollers 4.1 to pile napping rollers4.2 is changed, the operator selects the desired ratio of counter-pilenapping rollers 4.1 to pile napping rollers 4.2, enters this data intothe memory-programmable control system 25 and starts the latter and,with that, the change-over of the corresponding pick-up devices 1. Atthe same time, the memory-programmable control system 25 defines thepick-up devices to be changed over from the existing and the desiredratio of the counter-pile napping rollers 4.1 to the pile nappingrollers 4.2. Moreover, for certain pick-up devices 1, a doublechange-over and, preferably a further cylinder revolution may benecessary. The magnetic valves 27, 28 for the first working cylinder 9and the magnetic valves 29, 30 for the second working cylinder 18 aredriven directly as a function of the absolute angle of rotation of thecylinder, the respective position of the working cylinders 9, 18 beingchecked by sensors 31, 32, 33, 34. A further sensor 35 checks thelocking of this pick-up device 1, which is accomplished after thechange-over of the first pick-up device 1 by the locking pin 16 inconjunction with the locking disk 22.

In the event of a change in the ratio of the counterpile napping rollers4.1 to the pile napping rollers 4.2, the first working cylinder 9,commencing with the defined first pick-up device 1 and commencing fromthe starting position--this starting position corresponds to theabsolute angle of rotation α₁ --of the pick-up device 1, is acted uponwith a pressure medium, so that the piston rod 9.1 and, the windingelement 10 move into the operating position shown in FIG. 2. Therotational movement of the cylinder--shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 by an arrow24 effects the change in the ratio of counter-pile napping rollers 4.1to pile napping rollers 4.2. The rotational speed of the cylinderpreferably is relatively low during the operation. The roller 13 rollsalong the winding curve 10.1 in the first phase, so that the unlockinglever 12, mounted in the seat 14, lifts the locking pin 16 over thetension element 15 and, with that, the pick-up device 1 is unlocked.When the angle of rotation α₂ is reached, the second working cylinder 18is acted upon by a pressure medium, to extend the piston rod 18.1 tomove the segment bearer 20 into its operating position, so that thefriction segment 20.1 lies against the friction disk 21. The rotationalmovement of the cylinder rotates the friction disk 21 along the frictionsegment 20.1 and, thus turns the pick-up device 1 until an angle ofrotation α₄ is reached. When the angle of rotation α₃ is reached, whichlies between the angles of rotation α₂ and α₄, the first workingcylinder 9 is actuated in the opposite direction, to place the workingcylinder 9 at its starting position once again, as shown in FIG. 3.

When the angle of rotation α₄ is reached, the defined pick-up device 1has completed a rotational movement of 120°. A recess 22.1, present inthe locking disk 22, is placed in a position wherein the locking pin 16engages the recess 22.1 due to the force of the compression spring 23.Thus, the defined pick-up device 1 is shifted by an angle of rotation of120° and locked once again. Accordingly a napping roller 4.1, 4.2, whichpreviously was in the working position, now is outside its workingposition, while the napping roller 4.1, 4.2, which previously wasoutside of the working position, now is on the arc of a circle 2.1 andin the working position.

Likewise, with the reaching of the angle of rotation α₄, the secondworking cylinder 18 is acted upon in the opposite direction by thepressure medium, so that the second working cylinder 18 and, the segmentbearer 20 are moved back into their starting position.

When the cylinder is in the region of its angle of rotation α₅, thelocking of the previously rotated pick-up device 1 is checked by meansof a sensor 35.

The processes of unlocking, rotating and locking a pick-up device areshown in FIG. 4 as a function of the angle of rotation α. The processesdescribed also take place at the same time and in the same cycle for theunlocking, adjusting and locking device at the other end of the definedpick-up device 1.

When the unlocking, adjusting and locking process is finished completelyfor a pick-up device 1, the cylinder rotates further until apre-selected pick-up device 1--labeled "n" in FIG. 4--is in the definedposition, that is, in the position required for unlocking, rotating andlocking. Upon reaching this position, the unlocking, rotating andrenewed locking of the pre-selected pick-up device 1 in question takeplace, as already described and shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. This process isrepeated in accordance with the input into the memory-programmablecontrol system 25 by the operating personnel.

The 30° magnitude of the angle, given in FIG. 4, is derived from thenumber of pick-up devices 1 mounted in the cylinder; in the presentexample: 360° divided by 12 pick-up devices 1=30° per pick-up device.For the selection of the pick-up devices 1 to be adjusted, it is,however, also possible to specify a different angle, such as 60°, 90°,etc., to the memory-controllable control system 25.

If, for example, there are fifteen pick-up devices 1 on the cylinder, anangle of 24° results, which is specified to the memory-programmablecontrol system 25 as a parameter.

The control elements indicated in FIG. 2, such as the angle transmitters26, magnetic valves 27, 28, 29, 30, sensors 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and thememory programmable control system 25 have not been drawn in FIG. 3 forreasons of clarity. This also applies correspondingly to the labeling ofthe pick-up devices 1 that lie outside of the unlocking, adjusting andlocking region.

The present invention is used in wire card napping machines, as used inthe textile finishing industry for finishing textile fabrics 7. Such awire card napping machine has at least one driven cylinder. In the sidedisks 2 of the cylinder, several rotatable and lockable pick-up devices1 are mounted, each of which is equipped with at least one nappingroller of a different roller type.

The advantages, achieved by the invention, can be seen to lieessentially in that the ratio of the napping rollers of the one rollertype to the other roller type, which are in the operating position, canbe varied. This is understood to include also such a ratio, in whichnapping rollers of only one type of roller are in the working positionand as a result of which other napping effects can be achieved. In thisconnection, it is also important that the textile fabric, during thechange in the ratio of the napping rollers of the one type of roller tothe other type of roller, which are in the working position, can remainon the cylinder and relatively long resetting times can thus be avoided.

We claim:
 1. A wire card napping machine for fabrics comprising:at leastone driven cylinder rotatably supported in a machine frame and havingfirst and second side disks; pick-up devices supported by said first andsecond side disks; each of said pick-up devices having at least onenapping roller of a first type; at least one of said pick-up deviceshaving a napping roller of a second type in addition to a napping rollerof said first type; said one pick-up device including means forrotatably supporting said one pick-up device on said first and secondside disks; an adjusting device having a first lifting device, a segmentbearer movably supported by said first lifting device permittingtransport of said segment bearer between a starting position and anoperating position for engaging and rotating said one pick-up devicethrough a defined angle; a disk fixed to said one pick-up device anddisposed to functionally engage said segment bearer, at said operatingposition, to effect rotation of said one pick-up device through saiddefined angle as said cylinder rotates; said adjusting device having anunlocking device including a second lifting device; an unlocking segmentmovably supported by the second lifting device to permit travel betweena starting position and an operating position to effect unlocking ofsaid one pick-up device for the purpose of said rotation through saiddefined angle; and said one pick-up device including a locking devicefor preventing rotation of said one pickup device; said locking devicehaving means for movably supporting said locking device to permitmovement between a first position whereat said locking device preventsrotation of said one pick-up device and an operating position whereatsaid locking device permits rotation of said one pick-up device; saidlocking device and said unlocking segment being engageably disposed whensaid unlocking segment is at said operating position thereof to effectdisplacement of said locking device to said operating position thereofas said cylinder rotates to accomplish unlocking prior to said rotationof said one pick-up device by said segment bearer; and means forcontrolling said first and second lifting devices.
 2. The wire cardnapping machine of claim 1, wherein said means for controlling includesmeans for operating the first lifting device in response to operation ofthe second lifting device.
 3. The wire card napping machine of claim 1,wherein said means for controlling includes means for operating thefirst lifting device at times staggered from operation of the secondlifting device.
 4. The wire card napping machine of claim 1, wherein thesegment bearer, at its operating position, is connected non-positivelywith the disk.
 5. The wire card napping machine of claim 1, wherein thesegment bearer, at its operating position, is connected positively withthe disk.
 6. The wire card napping machine of claim 1, wherein theadjusting device and the unlocking device are disposed proximate one ofa first and a second end of said one pick-up device in the machineframe.
 7. The wire card napping machine of claim 1, further comprisingsaid locking device having a locking pin for engaging and locking saidone pick-up device and a force transfer element disposed to theunlocking segment and displace the locking pin.
 8. The wire card nappingmachine of claim 1, further comprising:a means for sensing an absoluteangle (α) of said cylinder; said means for controlling being responsiveto the absolute angle (α) of the cylinder to effect operation of theunlocking device and the adjusting device.
 9. The wire card nappingmachine of claim 8, wherein the control system has a memory-programmablecontrol unit.
 10. The wire card napping machine of claim 9, furthercomprising at least one scanning element for detecting a position of atleast one of the unlocking, adjusting and locking devices and said meansfor controlling being responsive to said scanning element.
 11. The wirecard napping machine of claim 10, wherein the scanning element is asensor.
 12. A napping machine comprising:a frame; a cylinder havingfirst and second ends rotatably supported in said frame and means forrotating said cylinder; napping rollers of a first and a second type;pick-up units, each for rotatably supporting at least two of saidnapping rollers between said first and second ends of said cylinder;said pick-up units selectively supporting at least one of said at leasttwo of said napping rollers in an inoperable position whereat said atleast one napping roller is not engaging a cloth to be napped; lockmeans, at each of said pick-up units, for locking said pick-up units toprevent rotation thereof; unlocking means for selectively engaging saidlock means to effect unlocking of said pick-up units; rotation means forselectively engaging and rotating said pick-up units to selectivelyposition one of said napping rollers of said first type and said nappingrollers of said second type in said inoperable position; and means forcontrolling said unlocking and said rotation means to effect selectionof said napping rollers.